Harar are traditional woven grass mats used mainly for Somali Aqal (Somali hut) that have been an integral part of the material culture of Somali pastoral communities for generations. Used as portable flooring, bedding, shelter furnishings and domestic furnishings, they embody sophisticated knowledge of local plant resources, weaving techniques and pastoral lifeways. Today, however, this knowledge is increasingly endangered due to changing lifestyles, urbanisation, reduced access to traditional grazing landscapes, and the widespread availability
of inexpensive manufactured alternatives. As older artisans retire and fewer younger people learn the craft, valuable material knowledge risks disappearing. This project seeks to document and safeguard the endangered knowledge associated with the production and use of harar in Somaliland through collaborative research with weavers, pastoralists and local communities. Working primarily in villages around Hargeisa, the project will record the complete production process—from the identification, harvesting and preparation of raw materials to weaving techniques, decorative practices, maintenance, repair and everyday use. Particular attention will be given to documenting local terminology, oral histories, cultural meanings, and the ways in which knowledge is transmitted between generations.
The research combines ethnographic fieldwork with detailed documentation methods, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, photography, high-quality video recording and three-dimensional photogrammetry of selected mats and weaving techniques. The project will also document the environmental knowledge associated with sourcing weaving materials and explore how contemporary economic and social changes are affecting the continuity of the tradition.
The resulting documentation—including photographs, audiovisual recordings, 3D models and associated metadata—will be archived through the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme to ensure its long-term preservation and accessibility. By creating a comprehensive digital record of harar production and the knowledge embedded within it, the project aims to support future research, contribute to the safeguarding of Somali cultural heritage, and provide an enduring resource for local communities, educators and heritage practitioners.
PI: Awet Teklehimanot Araya
Collaborator: Mohamed Abdi Allamagen
Research Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland
Host Institution: Sainsbury Research Unit, University of East Anglia
Top Banner Image: An isku-joog type of Harar. Photo credit: National Museum of Somaliland, 2025.